Air conditioner

ABSTRACT

An air conditioner is disclosed which includes a case having one or more air intake portions, a heat exchanger inside the case, a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger, and an intake amount reducing member at one of the air intake portions that reduces an intake amount of introduced air.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2007-0106158, filed on Oct. 22, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an air conditioner.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, an air conditioner is an apparatus which uses a refrigerant cycle to cool and heat an indoor space. A heat exchanger and a fan are disposed inside the air conditioner. When the fan rotates, air introduced by an air intake portion exchanges heat at the heat exchanger and then is discharged to the indoor space through an outlet portion.

However, since parts of the heat exchanger are located at different distances from the fan, introduced air is locally concentrated at specific portions of the heat exchanger, as an air intake force of the fan varies in accordance with a proximity to the fan. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger is not uniform.

Also, since the velocity of the air is relatively fast at a portion of the heat exchanger that is close to the fan, this causes the heat exchanger to vibrate and create noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the advantages of the present invention, is that it allows air introduced into an air conditioner to uniformly pass through a heat exchanger. Another advantage is that it minimizes noise in the air conditioner.

To achieve these advantages, provided is an air conditioner which includes a case having one or more air intake portions, a heat exchanger inside the case, a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger, and an intake amount reducing member at one of the air intake portions that reduces an intake amount of introduced air.

The intake amount reducing member may be disposed at a position along one of the air intake portions which is the closest to the fan. The intake amount reducing member may be disposed in front of the heat exchanger. The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger.

The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger may surround air intake sides of the fan. A filter may be disposed at the one or more air intake portions, and the intake amount reducing member may be disposed between the filter and the heat exchanger.

The air conditioner may include a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger. The one or more air intake portions may include a front air intake portion and a top air intake portion, and the dividing member may be disposed between the front air intake portion and the top air intake portion.

Also provided is an air conditioner which includes a case having one or more air intake portions, a heat exchanger inside the case, a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger, and an intake amount reducing member disposed at a position along one of the air intake portions where an air intake force is the highest.

The intake amount reducing member may be disposed in front of the heat exchanger. The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger. The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger. The air conditioner may include a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger.

Also provided is an air conditioner which includes a case having one or more air intake portions, and a heat exchanger inside the case. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange portions arranged at different angles within the case. The air conditioner also includes a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger, and an intake amount reducing member disposed along at least one of the heat exchange portions of the heat exchanger.

The intake amount reducing member may be disposed at a position along at least one of the heat exchange portions which is the closest to the fan. The intake amount reducing member may be disposed in front of the heat exchanger. The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger.

The intake amount reducing member may include a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger. The air conditioner may include a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an example of the intake amount reducing member shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating another example of the intake amount reducing member shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and other embodiments can be easily proposed through addition, modification, and deletion of other elements, which will fall within the scope of the present invention.

A specific embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 30 and a fan 40 are disposed inside a case 10 in the air conditioner.

A front air intake portion 11 can be formed in front of the case 10, and a top air intake portion 12 can be formed in an upper side of the case 10. A filter 13 for filtering air introduced into the air conditioner can be disposed next to the front air intake portion 11 and the top air intake portion 12.

A front cover 20 can be coupled to the front side of the case 10 to open and close the front air intake portion 11. The lower side of the front cover 20 is coupled to a hinge 21 and so rotatably coupled. Therefore, when the front cover 20 is opened, the introduced air flows from the upper portion to the lower portion of the front cover 20. A motor unit is coupled to the lower portion of the front cover 20, but the motor unit is not shown in FIG. 1.

The top air intake portion 12 can be provided in the form of a grill having a plurality of holes. An inlet louver (not shown) can be disposed to open and close the top air intake portion 12 when the inlet louver rotates.

An air outlet 15 can be formed in the lower portion of the case 10. A discharge louver 16 can be disposed at the air outlet 15 to control a discharge direction or angle of air exiting the air conditioner. The discharge louver 16 can be controlled such that it is closed when the air conditioner stops.

The fan 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the heat exchanger 30. The fan 40 may be a cross-flow fan that discharges air introduced in a radial direction to a radial direction. The heat exchanger 30 surrounds air intake sides of the fan 40.

The heat exchanger 30 includes refrigerant tubes 32 through which refrigerant flows, and a plurality of heat exchange pins 31 through which the refrigerant tubes 32 pass. The heat exchanger 30 is disposed to surround the air intake portion of the fan 40. In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 30 may include a plurality of heat exchange portions 35, 36, and 37, which are arranged at different angles within the case 10 and surround the air intake portion of the fan 40.

If the heat exchanger 30 includes a plurality of heat exchange portions 35, 36, and 37 which are disposed at angles, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, a relatively large heat exchange surface area, and consequently, a relatively large heat exchange capacity, can be achieved. As an alternative to having separate heat exchange portions, the heat exchanger 30 can be formed in one piece which has a bent shape.

A dividing member 50 can be disposed to divide air introduced to the heat exchanger 30. The dividing member 50 can be disposed between the front air intake portion 11 and the top air intake portion 12. The dividing member 50 blocks off air of the top air intake portion 12 flowing to the lower air intake portion. The dividing member 50 has a panel shape formed long along a lengthwise direction of the cross-flow fan 40. A stabilizer 61 is disposed at a discharge side of the fan 40 to prevent air of the air outlet portion 15 from flowing backward to the heat exchanger 30.

A rear guide 62 is disposed at an intake side of the fan 40 to swiftly guide air that has passed through the heat exchanger 30 to the fan 40. The stabilizer 61 and the rear guide 62 are separated by a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the fan 40.

An intake amount reducing member 70 for reducing an intake amount of air is disposed at a portion of the air intake portion. The intake amount reducing member 70 is disposed at a position along the air intake portion 11 which is the closest to the fan, in this case, in front of the heat exchange portion 35. The heat exchange portion 35 is located at a position where a distance between the fan 40 and the air intake portions 12 and 13 is relatively close. The intake amount reducing member 70 is disposed at the heat exchange portion 35 to minimize concentration of an air intake amount because the air intake force of the fan 40 is highest in the vicinity of the heat exchange portion 35.

The intake amount reducing member 70 can be installed to the front or rear side of the filter 13 of the front air intake portion 11. For example, the intake amount reducing member 30 can be disposed between the filter 13 and the heat exchanger 30. The intake amount reducing member 70 may include a plurality of bars having a thin and long panel shape. The intake amount reducing member 70 relatively reduces an opening of the front air intake portion 11.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating an example of the intake amount reducing member 70 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the intake amount reducing member 70 includes a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between the refrigerant tubes 32 of the heat exchanger 30. The intake amount reducing member 70 reduces the amount of air passing through a portion of the heat exchanger 30.

A ratio between a width W of the intake amount reducing member 70 and a pitch P of the refrigerant tubes 32 can be in the range of 0.5≦W/P≦0.70. The ratio between the width W of the intake amount reducing member 70 and the pitch P of the refrigerant tubes 32 can be selected to be optimal depending on the size of the heat exchanger 30 and the capacity of the fan 40.

The operation of the embodiment having the above construction will be described below.

When the air conditioner is driven, refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger 30. Also, the front cover 20 and the discharge louver 16 are opened, and the fan 40 rotates. As the fan 40 rotates, a low pressure lower than an atmospheric pressure is formed inside the case 10.

Air is introduced into the front air intake portion 11 and the top air intake portion 12. At this point, the dividing member 50 blocks separates the air introduced through the front air intake portion 11 and the top air intake portion 12, so that air introduced through the top air intake portion 12 is allowed by the dividing member 50 to pass through the upper parts of the uppermost heat exchange portion 37 and an intermediate heat exchange portion 36. Therefore, since a relatively large amount of introduced air passes through the upper heat exchange portion 37 and the intermediate heat exchange portion 36, heat exchange efficiency and the velocity of air can increase relatively at the upper heat exchange portion 37 and the intermediate heat exchange portion 36.

An air intake force is greatest in the vicinity of the lower heat exchange portion 35, but the intake amount reducing member 70 serves to reduce the flow of air to the lowermost heat exchange portion 35. Therefore, a difference between the velocity of the air passing through the lowermost heat exchange portion 35 and the velocity of the air passing through the uppermost and the intermediate heat exchange portions 36 and 37 can be relatively reduced. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 30 can be made uniform.

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged view illustrating another example of the intake amount reducing member.

Referring to FIG. 3, an intake amount reducing member 80 includes a plurality of bars which are disposed at angle with respect to the heat exchanger 30. As the intake amount reducing member 80 is disposed to have the slope, air introduced through the front air intake portion 11 can be swiftly guided to the lowermost heat exchange portion 35 to reduce a noise caused by air flowing.

Also, the sides of the intake amount reducing member 80 can be rounded to reduce air resistance. The intake amount reducing member 80 can also be disposed between the refrigerant tubes 32.

Also, a difference between the velocity of the air passing through the lowermost heat exchange portion 35 and the velocity of the air passing through the uppermost and the intermediate heat exchange portions 36 and 37 can be relatively reduced. Therefore, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger 30 can be made uniform, and the air discharge performance of the fan 40 can be improved.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.

The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified. Rather, the above-described embodiments should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. 

1. An air conditioner comprising: a case having one or more air intake portions; a heat exchanger inside the case; a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger; and an intake amount reducing member at one of the air intake portions that reduces an intake amount of introduced air.
 2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the intake amount reducing member is disposed at a position along one of the air intake portions which is the closest to the fan.
 3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the intake amount reducing member is disposed in front of the heat exchanger.
 4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger.
 5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger.
 6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger surrounds air intake sides of the fan.
 7. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein a filter is disposed at the one or more air intake portions, and the intake amount reducing member is disposed between the filter and the heat exchanger.
 8. The air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger.
 9. The air conditioner according to claim 8, wherein the one or more air intake portions comprise a front air intake portion and a top air intake portion, and the dividing member is disposed between the front air intake portion and the top air intake portion.
 10. An air conditioner comprising: a case having one or more air intake portions; a heat exchanger inside the case; a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger; and an intake amount reducing member disposed at a position along one of the air intake portions where an air intake force is the highest.
 11. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the intake amount reducing member is disposed in front of the heat exchanger.
 12. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger.
 13. The air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger.
 14. The air conditioner according to claim 10, further comprising a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger.
 15. An air conditioner comprising: a case having one or more air intake portions; a heat exchanger inside the case, the heat exchanger including a plurality of heat exchange portions arranged at different angles within the case; a fan in a vicinity of the heat exchanger; and an intake amount reducing member disposed along at least one of the heat exchange portions of the heat exchanger.
 16. The air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein the intake amount reducing member is disposed at a position along at least one of the heat exchange portions which is the closest to the fan.
 17. The air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein the intake amount reducing member is disposed in front of the heat exchanger.
 18. The air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed lateral to spaces between refrigerant tubes of the heat exchanger.
 19. The air conditioner according to claim 15, wherein the intake amount reducing member comprises a plurality of bars which are disposed at an angle with respect to the heat exchanger.
 20. The air conditioner according to claim 15, further comprising a dividing member that divides air introduced to the heat exchanger. 